Electrical equipment and additional functional module associated therewith

ABSTRACT

An electrical equipment (1) for an electrical installation is connected to an electrical grid, having at least a primary functional module (2) suitable for carrying out a current interruption function, and an additional functional module (5) for carrying out at least one function requiring a power supply. The function of the additional functional module (5) is a function requiring a power supply except for an indicator light lighting function.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Phase of PCT/EP2017/067256 filed on Jul.10, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus for anelectrical installation and to an additional functional module for thiselectrical apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Document DE 19 21 571 A1 describes an electrical switch comprising alighting element connected in parallel with the electrical circuit ofthe electrical switch in order to perform an indicator light function.Such an electrical switch only makes it possible to perform an indicatorlight function. This electrical switch therefore does not make itpossible to implement more sophisticated functionalities, and istherefore limited.

Objects and Summary

The present invention aims to propose a flexible and customizablesolution for an electrical apparatus and to overcome the drawbacks ofthe prior art.

The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus for anelectrical installation, able and intended to be connected to anelectrical grid, comprising at least:

-   -   a primary functional module comprising a first connection pole        able and intended to be connected to a first line of the        electrical grid and a second connection pole able and intended        to be connected to a second line of an electrical circuit of the        electrical installation,    -   the primary functional module being able and intended to perform        a function of interrupting the current between the first        connection pole and the second connection pole and comprises a        control member such that, in an open position, an electrical        circuit between the first connection pole and the second        connection pole is open and that, in a closed position, the        electrical circuit is closed,    -   an additional functional module comprising means for performing        at least one function requiring an electric power supply,        comprising at least a fourth connection pole and a fifth        connection pole that are electrically connected respectively to        the first connection pole and to the second connection pole of        the primary functional module in order to supply power to the        additional functional module,    -   a reception module comprising at least a first reception area        for receiving the primary functional module,    -   which electrical apparatus is characterized in that the        reception module comprises a second reception area for receiving        the additional functional module,    -   and in that said at least one function of the additional        functional module is a function requiring an electric power        supply, excluding an indicator light lighting function linked to        the open position and/or the closed position of the control        member of the primary functional module.

The invention also relates to an additional functional module for anelectrical apparatus as described above, said electrical apparatuscomprising a primary functional module and an additional functionalmodule, said additional functional module being characterized in that itcorresponds to the additional functional module of said electricalapparatus and comprises at least a fourth connection pole and a fifthconnection pole that are able and intended to be electrically connectedrespectively to the first connection pole and to the second connectionpole of the primary functional module of the electrical apparatus, inorder to supply power to the additional functional module and to performat least one function requiring an electric power supply, said at leastone function of the additional functional module is a function requiringan electric power supply, excluding an indicator light lighting functionlinked to the open position and/or the closed position of the controlmember of the primary functional module.

The invention also relates to an electronic card for an additionalfunctional module as described above, characterized in that theelectronic card comprises a measurement sensor and/or display meansand/or actuation means and/or electromagnetic wave transmission and/orreception means and/or a transducer and in that it comprises at leastfirst connection means so as to be able and intended to form a removablecomponent of said additional functional module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by virtue of the followingdescription, which relates to several preferred embodiments that aregiven by way of non-limiting example and explained with reference to theappended schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective plan view of a primary functional moduleaccording to the invention,

FIG. 1B is a perspective bottom view of the primary functional moduleshown in FIG. 1A,

FIG. 1C is a plan view of the primary functional module shown in FIG.1A,

FIG. 2A is a perspective plan view of an additional functional moduleaccording to the invention,

FIG. 2B is a perspective bottom view of the additional functional moduleshown in FIG. 2A,

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the detail A shown in FIG. 2B,

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of a removable electronic card of theadditional functional module,

FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the functional module without theremovable electronic card,

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the primary functional module accordingto the invention shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C associated with a support frameof the reception module,

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the electrical apparatus according tothe invention comprising the primary functional module according to theinvention shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C and the additional functional moduleshown in FIGS. 2A to 2E,

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a cover plate according to theinvention,

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the electrical apparatus shown in FIG.3B and provided with a cover plate shown in FIG. 3C,

FIG. 4 is a view of the electrical apparatus according to the invention,and

FIG. 5 is a view of a circuit diagram showing the electrical apparatusinstalled in an electrical installation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The electrical apparatus 1 for an electrical installation (FIG. 5), ableand intended to be connected to an electrical grid, comprises at least:

-   -   a primary functional module 2 comprising a first connection pole        3 able and intended to be connected to a first line L of the        electrical grid and a second connection pole 4 able and intended        to be connected to a second line L1 of an electrical circuit of        the electrical installation (FIG. 1B),    -   the primary functional module 2 (FIGS. 1A and 1C) being able and        intended to perform a function of interrupting the current        between the first connection pole 3 and the second connection        pole 4 and comprises a control member 2′ such that, in an open        position, an electrical circuit between the first connection        pole 3 and the second connection pole 4 is open (FIG. 5) and        that, in a closed position, the electrical circuit is closed,    -   an additional functional module 5 comprising means for        performing at least one function requiring an electric power        supply, comprising at least a fourth connection pole 6 and a        fifth connection pole 7 that are electrically connected        respectively to the first connection pole 3 and to the second        connection pole 4 of the primary functional module 2 in order to        supply power to the additional functional module 5 (FIGS. 2A to        2E, 3B and 5),    -   a reception module 8 comprising at least a first reception area        9 for receiving the primary functional module 2 (FIGS. 3A to 4).

According to the invention, the electrical apparatus 1 is characterizedin that the reception module comprises a second reception area 9′ forreceiving the additional functional module 5 (FIG. 3A),

-   -   and in that said at least one function of the additional        functional module 5 is a function requiring an electric power        supply, excluding an indicator light lighting function linked to        the open position and/or the closed position of the control        member 2′ of the primary functional module 2.

The excluded indicator light lighting function is understood to mean anindicator light lighting function that is implemented by way of anindicator light able and intended to be turned on when the controlmember 2′ is in the open position and to be turned off when the controlmember 2′ is in the closed position. For example, when the primaryfunctional module 2 controls a load 20, such as lighting, the indicatorlight is turned on when the lighting is not supplied with power and istherefore turned off, and the indicator light is turned off when thelighting is supplied with power and is therefore turned on. This type ofindicator light is most often used to locate and identify the electricalapparatus 1 in darkness in part of a building (not shown), such as astairwell (not shown).

Advantageously, the electrical apparatus 1 makes it possible to perform,in addition to the function of interrupting the basic current performedby the primary functional module 2, at least one additional functionusing the additional functional module 5. Such an additional functionalmodule 5 thus allows the electrical apparatus 1 to be customized.Furthermore, as the additional functional module 5 is optional, it isable to be installed or removed at any time without impacting theelectrical installation. Specifically, the electrical apparatus 1 isable to operate only with the primary functional module 2. Theelectrical apparatus 1 that is obtained is thus particularly flexible.Moreover, the additional function of the additional functional module 5is not intended to inform the user about the location or the state ofthe interruption function, but advantageously extends to functionsindependent of the interruption function.

The electrical apparatus 1 is preferably intended to be assembled withor recessed into a support (not shown), such as a wall.

The primary functional module 2 may be a monostable switch module (notshown) or a bistable switch module (FIGS. 1A to 1C). In the case of amonostable switch module, in the open position, the control member 2′does not act on the opening of the electrical circuit and, in the closedposition, the control member 2′ may be designed to close the electricalcircuit; in this configuration, the monostable switch module is alsocalled “normally open”. According to one alternative of a monostableswitch module, in the open position, the control member 2′ may bedesigned to open the electrical circuit and, in the closed position, thecontrol member 2′ does not act on the closure of the electrical circuit;in this configuration, the monostable switch module is also called“normally closed”. The control member 2′ of a monostable switch modulemay preferably be a pushbutton (not shown).

For a bistable switch module, shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, in the openposition, the control member 2′ may be designed to open the electricalcircuit and, in the closed position, the control member 2′ may bedesigned to close the electrical circuit. In this case, the controlmember 2′ may preferably be a toggle switch that is able to adopt twopositions. However, this example is not limiting.

The primary functional module 2 may comprise a first connection pole 3able and intended to be connected to a first line L of the electricalgrid and a second connection pole 4 able and intended to be connected toa second line L1 of an electrical circuit of the electricalinstallation.

The first line L may be a power supply line connected to the electricalgrid, preferably via a switching device, such as a circuit breaker.

The second line L1 may be a return line for supplying power to a load ofthe electrical installation, such as lighting.

The first line L and the second line L1 may take the form of one or morecables (not shown).

The electrical installation may preferably be a domestic electricalinstallation.

The electrical grid may comprise a third neutral line N (FIG. 5).

Said at least one function of the additional functional module 5 may bechosen, alone or in combination, from among a function of measuring atleast one physical parameter and/or an electromagnetic radiationtransmission and/or reception function and/or a display function and/oran actuation function and/or a data processing function and/or afunction of transforming a physical signal into an electrical signal orvice versa.

Said at least one physical parameter may be temperature, pressure,hygrometry, brightness; these examples are of course nonlimiting.

The electromagnetic radiation transmission and/or reception function maybe limited to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. Thisconfiguration is preferred in particular in order to allow data to becommunicated from the electrical apparatus 1 to a control unit (notshown) described below.

The function of the additional functional module 5 may be able andintended to be supplied with power and activated when the control member2′ of the primary functional module 2 is in the open position.

Advantageously, as the additional functional module 5 is connected inparallel with the electrical circuit between the first connection pole 3and the second connection pole 4 of the primary functional module 2, themeans for performing the function of the additional functional module 5are able to be supplied with power by the electrical grid when theelectrical circuit of the primary functional module 2 is open, andtherefore when the control member 2′ is in the open position. As aresult, when the control member 2′ is in the open position, the functionof the additional functional module 5 is able to be activated. When thecontrol member 2′ is in the closed position, the means for performingthe function of the additional functional module 5 are short-circuitedand are therefore not supplied with power and are deactivated.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise an electrical energystorage and/or production element and the function of the additionalfunctional module 5 may be able and intended to be supplied with powerby said electrical energy storage and/or production element.

Advantageously, the function of the additional functional module 5 isable to be supplied with power by an electrical energy storage and/orproduction element which may be made independent and autonomous inrelation to the electrical grid. As a result, the function of theadditional functional module 5 is able to be activated independently ofthe open or closed position of the primary functional module 2. Forexample, when the control member 2′ is in the closed position, thefunction of the additional functional module 5 is no longershort-circuited and is therefore able to be supplied with power by theelectrical energy storage and/or production element and be activated.

The electrical energy storage and/or production element may be abattery, a capacitor, a piezoelectric generator, a photovoltaicgenerator, or a thermoelectric generator, for example a Peltier orSeebeck generator.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least one measurementsensor able and intended to perform said function of measuring at leastone physical parameter.

The measurement sensor may be a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, ahygrometer, a photodetector, an infrared sensor, a transducer; theseexamples are of course nonlimiting.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least electromagneticwave transmission and/or reception means able and intended to performsaid electromagnetic radiation transmission and/or reception function.

These electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means may be aradiofrequency communication element, for example Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, ora repeater. Of course, these examples are not limiting.

Advantageously, these electromagnetic wave transmission and/or receptionmeans make it possible to receive and/or transmit data that may inparticular relate to the additional functional module 5. Suchelectromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means may, inaddition, establish a wireless communication link with a control unit,such as a computer, a smartphone or a digital tablet or to anotheradditional functional module 5 according to the invention and that wouldalso be equipped with electromagnetic wave transmission and/or receptionmeans. It is thus possible to interact remotely with the electricalapparatus 1.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least display meansable and intended to perform said display function.

Advantageously, these display means make it possible to form a visualinterface with a user.

These display means may be a screen.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least actuation meansable and intended to perform said actuation function.

The actuation means may be an actuator, for example a relay, a solenoid,a micromotor, a piezoelectric mechanism or, in general, any type ofmeans configured so as to transform an electrical quantity into amechanical quantity or vice versa.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least data processingmeans able and intended to perform said data processing function.

The data processing means may be a microcontroller. These dataprocessing means may, for example, make it possible to process datacoming from the measurement sensor.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least image-capturingmeans, for example a camera.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least one transducerable and intended to perform said function of transforming a physicalsignal into an electrical signal or vice versa.

The transducer may be an electroacoustic transducer, such as a speakeror a microphone.

The transducer may be a vibrator or a diffuser.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least one electroniccard 10, 11 comprising the measurement sensor and/or the electromagneticwave transmission and/or reception means and/or the display means and/orthe actuation means and/or the data processing means and/or theimage-capturing means and/or the transducer.

According to one variant embodiment of the invention, a first electroniccard 10 may comprise the measurement sensor and/or the display meansand/or the electromagnetic wave reception and/or actuation means and/ora transducer and/or image-capturing means and a second electronic card11 may comprise the electromagnetic wave transmission and/or receptionmeans and/or the data processing means and a third electronic card (notshown) may comprise the electrical energy storage and/or productionelement.

The first electronic card 10, the second electronic card 11 and thethird electronic card may be electrically connected to one another.

The first electronic card 10 may preferably be a removable component ofthe additional functional module 5.

Advantageously, the function or functions of the additional functionalmodule 5 may thus be modified simply and easily by replacing the firstelectronic card 10. It is thus not necessary to replace the entireadditional functional module 5.

In particular, the first electronic card 10 may comprise at least firstconnection means 24 complementary with at least second connection means25 of the second electronic card 11. Said connection means make itpossible to electrically and mechanically connect the first electroniccard 10 and the second electronic card 11 in a removable and reversiblemanner (FIGS. 2A and 2D).

The first connection means 24 and the second connection means 25 mayconsist of a USB connection, by way of non-limiting example.

The primary functional module 2 may comprise at least a first connectionterminal 3′ electrically connected to the first connection pole 3 and asecond connection terminal 4′ electrically connected to the secondconnection pole 4, and the first connection terminal 3′ and the secondconnection terminal 4′ may form a first outlet 13 (FIG. 1C).

According to one alternative possibility, said primary functional module2 may comprise at least a first conductive wire connected (not shown) tothe first connection pole 3 and a second conductive wire (not shown)connected to the second connection pole 4, the first conductive wire andthe second conductive wire being able to be connected to a terminalblock (not shown) of the additional functional module 5.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least a fourthconnection terminal 6′ electrically connected to the fourth connectionpole 6 and a fifth connection terminal 7′ electrically connected to thefifth connection pole 7 and the fourth connection terminal 6′ and thefifth connection terminal 7′ may form a second outlet 14 (FIGS. 2B and2C).

According to one alternative possibility, said additional functionalmodule 5 may comprise a terminal block (not shown) electricallyconnected to the fourth connection pole 6 and to the fifth connectionpole 7. The first conductive wire and the second conductive wire of theprimary functional module 2 may be connected to the terminal block.

The first outlet 13 of the primary functional module 2 and the secondoutlet 14 of the additional functional module 5 may have complementaryshapes so as to be connected and so as to electrically and mechanicallyconnect the first connection terminal 3′ to the fourth connectionterminal 6′ and so as to electrically and mechanically connect thesecond connection terminal 4′ to the fifth connection terminal 7′ (FIGS.1C, 2B, 2C, 3B, 5).

The first connection terminal 3′ and the second connection terminal 4′may be respectively a first female terminal and a second femaleterminal, for example taking the form of a cavity provided withelectrical contact. In this case, the first outlet 13 is a socket. Thisfirst outlet 13 may preferably comprise two cavities distributed alongone side of a square (FIG. 1C).

The first socket outlet 13 may preferably have a protection rating whosedegree of protection against solids is between 0 and 6 and whose degreeof protection against liquids is between 0 and 8. For example, theprotection rating may be equal to IP2X, X being a value between 0 and 8.

The fourth connection terminal 6′ and the fifth connection terminal 7′may be respectively a fourth male terminal and a fifth male terminal,for example taking the form of a rod. In this case, the second outlet 14is a plug. The second outlet 14 may comprise a base 14′ from which thefourth connection terminal 6′ and the fifth connection terminal 7′ inthe form of a rod extend. The base 14′ preferably has a substantiallysquare shape with rounded corners from which four pads 14″ extendingsubstantially orthogonal to the base 14′ extend. These pads 14″ form amechanical joint with the first socket outlet 13, these pads 14″ beingable to fit into the cavities. Two of these pads 14″ may support the tworods forming the fourth connection terminal 6′ and the fifth connectionterminal 7′ (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E).

The primary functional module 2 may comprise a first housing 15 withwhich the first outlet 13 and the control member 2′ are assembled (FIGS.1A, 1B and 1C).

The first housing 15 makes it possible to protect the primary functionalmodule 2.

The first housing 15 may be made from polymer material.

The first housing 15 may comprise four lateral faces 15 a, 15 b, 15 d, afront opening 15 e, and a rear face 15 f. The first housing 15 may havea substantially rectangular cross section.

The first outlet 13 and the control member 2′ preferably cover the frontopening 15 e. As a result, the first outlet is advantageously accessiblefrom the front of the primary functional module 2, thereby facilitatinginterlocking with the second outlet 14 of the additional functionalmodule 5.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise a second housing 16 inwhich said at least one electronic card 10, 11 comprising themeasurement sensor and/or the electromagnetic wave transmission and/orreception means and/or the display means and/or the actuation meansand/or the data processing means and/or the transducer is housed.

The second housing 16 makes it possible to protect the additionalfunctional module 5 (FIGS. 2A and 2B).

The second outlet 14 of the additional functional module 5 may projectfrom the second housing 16 of the additional functional module 5.

The second housing 16 may be made from polymer material.

The second housing 16 may comprise four lateral faces 16 a, 16 b, 16 d,a front opening 16 e, and a rear face 16 f. The second housing 16 mayhave a substantially rectangular cross section.

Preferably, the base 14′ of the second outlet 14 may extend in the planeof the front opening 16 e and the pads 14″ may extend in the directionof the lateral faces 16 a, 16 b, 16 d.

The second housing 16, the base 14′ and the pads 14″ may form a singleone-piece component, which is for example molded.

Alternatively, the second outlet 14 may be a removable element (notshown) of the second housing 16. More particularly, the base 14′ may bemechanically connected to the second housing 16 removably and reversiblyby mechanical connection means (not shown). The base 14′ may furthermorecomprise electrical connection means (not shown) electrically connectedto the fourth connection terminal 6′ and to the fifth connectionterminal 7′ and complementary with electrical connection means (notshown) arranged on the second housing 16. These electrical connectionmeans of the second housing 16 may consist of a terminal block.

One of the lateral faces 15 b of the first housing 15 may be adjacent toone of the lateral faces 16 d of the second housing 16, moreparticularly these lateral faces 15 b, 16 d may be contiguous and facingone another. These contiguous lateral faces 15 b, 16 d may compriseguide means (not shown) in order to facilitate the positioning of thefirst and second housings 15, 16 with respect to one another.

The first electronic card 10 may cover the front opening 16 e.

Advantageously, due to this configuration, the first electronic card 10is easily accessible and may easily be secured/detached to/from thesecond electronic card 11 in order to be replaced.

The reception module 8 may comprise a support frame 8′ comprising acentral opening 17 at least partly forming said first and secondreception areas 9, 9′ receiving the first housing 15 (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3D)and the second housing 16, and the first housing 15 and the secondhousing 16 may respectively comprise removable fastening means 18, 19interacting with the support frame 8′ (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B).

The fastening means 18, 19 respectively of the first housing 15 and ofthe second housing 16 may preferably consist of two tabs projectingrespectively from two of the opposing lateral faces 15 a; 16 a (FIGS.1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, and 2D).

The reception module 8 may also comprise a recessed housing 8″ to whichthe support frame 8′ is able to be fastened by fastening means (notshown) (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3D, 4). This recessed housing 8″ may be intendedto be recessed into a support, such as a wall.

The recessed housing 8″ may comprise a receptacle for receiving the fourlateral faces 15 a, 15 b, 15 d and the rear face 15 f of the firsthousing 15 and the four lateral faces 16 a, 16 b, 16 d and the rear face16 f of the second housing 16.

The control member 2′, the base 14′ of the second outlet 14 and thefirst electronic card 10 may be covered with at least one cover plate 21comprising or not comprising at least one button (not shown) which makesit possible to actuate the control member 2′ of the primary functionalmodule 2 (FIGS. 3C, 3D, 4).

The cover plate 21 simultaneously plays the role of an interface withthe user and may also have an esthetic function and a protectivefunction.

The cover plate 21 may also make it possible to block off the controlmember 2′, which is no longer able to be actuated in this case.

The support frame 8′ may be covered with a covering frame 22.

The additional functional module 5 is suitable and intended for anelectrical apparatus 1 as described above, said electrical apparatuscomprising a primary functional module 2 and an additional functionalmodule 5.

According to the invention, said additional functional module 5 ischaracterized in that it corresponds to the additional functional module5 of said electrical apparatus 1 and comprises at least a fourthconnection pole 6 and a fifth connection pole 7 that are able andintended to be electrically connected respectively to the firstconnection pole 3 and to the second connection pole 4 of the primaryfunctional module 2 of the electrical apparatus 1, in order to supplypower to the additional functional module 5 and comprises means forperforming at least one function requiring an electric power supply,said at least one function of the additional functional module 5 is afunction requiring an electric power supply, excluding an indicatorlight lighting function linked to the open position and/or the closedposition of the control member 2′ of the primary functional module 2.

Said at least one function of the additional functional module 5 may bechosen, alone or in combination, from among a function of measuring atleast one physical parameter and/or an electromagnetic radiationtransmission and/or reception function and/or a display function and/oran actuation function, a data processing function and/or a function oftransforming a physical signal into an electrical signal or vice versa.

Said at least one physical parameter may be as described above. Thefunction of the additional functional module 5 may be able and intendedto be supplied with power and activated when the control member 2′ ofthe primary functional module 2 is in the open position.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise an electrical energystorage and/or production element and the function of the additionalfunctional module 5 may be able and intended to be supplied with powerby said electrical energy storage and/or production element.

Said electrical energy storage and/or production element may be asdescribed above.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least one measurementsensor able and intended to perform said function of measuring at leastone physical parameter.

The measurement sensor may be as described above.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least electromagneticwave transmission and/or reception means able and intended to performsaid electromagnetic radiation transmission and/or reception function.

The electromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means may be asdescribed above.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least display meansable and intended to perform said display function.

The display means may be as described above.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least actuation meansable and intended to perform said actuation function.

The actuation means may be as described above.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least data processingmeans able and intended to perform said data processing function.

The processing means may be as described above.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least image-capturingmeans, for example a camera.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least one transducerable and intended to perform said function of transforming a physicalsignal into an electrical signal or vice versa, as described above.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least one electroniccard 10, 11 comprising the measurement sensor and/or the electromagneticwave transmission and/or reception means and/or the display means and/orthe actuation means and/or the data processing means.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise a second housing 16 inwhich said at least one electronic card 10, 11 comprising themeasurement sensor and/or the electromagnetic wave transmission and/orreception means and/or the display means and/or the actuation meansand/or the data processing means is housed.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise a first electronic card10, a second electronic card 11 and a third electronic card, asdescribed above.

The second housing 16 may be as described above.

The additional functional module 5 may comprise at least a fourthconnection terminal 6′ electrically connected to the fourth connectionpole 6 and a fifth connection terminal 7′ electrically connected to thefifth connection pole 7, and the fourth connection terminal 6′ and thefifth connection terminal 7′ may form a second outlet 14.

According to one alternative possibility, said additional functionalmodule 5 may comprise a terminal block (not shown) electricallyconnected to the fourth connection pole 6 and to the fifth connectionpole 7. The first conductive wire and the second conductive wire of theprimary functional module 2 may be connected to the terminal block.

The second outlet 14 of the additional functional module 5 may projectfrom the second housing 16 of the additional functional module 5.

The second outlet 14 may be as described above.

The second housing 16 may comprise removable fastening means 18, 19 ableand intended to interact with a support frame 8′ of the electricalapparatus 1. These fastening means 18, 19 may be as described above.

The invention also relates to an electronic card 10 for an additionalfunctional module 5 as described above.

According to the invention, the electronic card 10 is characterized inthat it comprises a measurement sensor and/or display means and/oractuation means and in that it comprises at least first connection means24 so as to be able and intended to form a removable component of saidadditional functional module 5.

This electronic card corresponds to the first electronic card 10 asdescribed above.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments that aredescribed and shown in the appended drawings. Modifications remainpossible, particularly from the point of view of the composition of thevarious elements or by substituting technical equivalents, withoutotherwise departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electrical apparatus for an electricalinstallation, able to be connected to an electrical grid, comprising atleast: a primary functional module comprising a first connection poleable to be connected to a first line of the electrical grid and a secondconnection pole able to be connected to a second line of an electricalcircuit of the electrical installation, the primary functional modulebeing able to perform a function of interrupting the current between thefirst connection pole and the second connection pole and comprises acontrol member such that, in an open position, an electrical circuitbetween the first connection pole and the second connection pole is openand that, in a closed position, the electrical circuit is closed, anadditional functional module comprising means for performing at leastone function requiring an electric power supply, comprising at least afourth connection pole and a fifth connection pole that are electricallyconnected respectively to the first connection pole and to the secondconnection pole of the primary functional module in order to supplypower to the additional functional module, a reception module comprisingat least a first reception area for receiving the primary functionalmodule, wherein the reception module comprises a second reception areafor receiving the additional functional module, and in that said atleast one function of the additional functional module is a functionrequiring an electric power supply, excluding an indicator lightlighting function linked to the open position and/or the closed positionof the control member of the primary functional module.
 2. Theelectrical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least onefunction of the additional functional module is chosen, alone or incombination, from among a function of measuring at least one physicalparameter and/or an electromagnetic radiation transmission and/orreception function and/or a display function and/or an actuationfunction and/or a data processing function and/or a function oftransforming a physical signal into an electrical signal or vice versa.3. The electrical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the functionof the additional functional module is able and intended to be suppliedwith power and activated when the control member of the primaryfunctional module is in the open position.
 4. The electrical apparatusas claimed in claim 1, wherein the additional functional modulecomprises an electrical energy storage and/or production element and inthat the function of the additional functional module is able to besupplied with power by said electrical energy storage and/or productionelement.
 5. The electrical apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein theadditional functional module comprises at least one measurement sensorable to perform said function of measuring at least one physicalparameter.
 6. The electrical apparatus as claimed in of claim 2, whereinthe additional functional module comprises at least electromagnetic wavetransmission and/or reception means able to perform said electromagneticradiation transmission and/or reception function.
 7. The electricalapparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the additional functionalmodule comprises at least display means able to perform said displayfunction.
 8. The electrical apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein theadditional functional module comprises at least actuation means able toperform said actuation function.
 9. The electrical apparatus as claimedin claim 2, wherein the additional functional module comprises at leastdata processing means able to perform said data processing function. 10.The electrical apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the additionalfunctional module comprises at least one electronic card comprising themeasurement sensor and/or the electromagnetic wave transmission and/orreception means and/or the display means and/or the actuation meansand/or the data processing means.
 11. The electrical apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the primary functional module comprises atleast a first connection terminal electrically connected to the firstconnection pole and a second connection terminal electrically connectedto the second connection pole and in that the first connection terminaland the second connection terminal form a first outlet.
 12. Theelectrical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additionalfunctional module comprises at least a fourth connection terminalelectrically connected to the fourth connection pole and a fifthconnection terminal electrically connected to the fifth connection poleand in that the fourth connection terminal and the fifth connectionterminal form a second outlet.
 13. The electrical apparatus as claimedin claim 11, wherein the first outlet of the primary functional moduleand the second outlet of the additional functional module havecomplementary shapes so as to be connected and so as to electrically andmechanically connect the first connection terminal to the fourthconnection terminal and so as to electrically and mechanically connectthe second connection terminal to the fifth connection terminal.
 14. Theelectrical apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the primaryfunctional module comprises a first housing with which the first outletand the control member are assembled.
 15. The electrical apparatus asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the additional functional module comprisesa second housing in which said at least one electronic card comprisingthe measurement sensor and/or the electromagnetic wave transmissionand/or reception means and/or the display means and/or the actuationmeans and/or the data processing means and/or a transducer is housed.16. The electrical apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein theadditional functional module comprises at least a fourth connectionterminal electrically connected to the fourth connection pole and afifth connection terminal electrically connected to the fifth connectionpole and in that the fourth connection terminal and the fifth connectionterminal form a second outlet and wherein the second outlet of theadditional functional module projects from the second housing of theadditional functional module.
 17. The electrical apparatus as claimed inclaim 14, characterized in that the reception module may comprise asupport frame comprising a central opening at least partly forming saidfirst and second reception areas receiving the first housing and thesecond housing and in that the first housing and the second housingrespectively comprise removable fastening means interacting with thesupport frame.
 18. An additional functional module for an electricalapparatus as claimed in claim 1, said electrical apparatus comprising aprimary functional module and an additional functional module, saidadditional functional module being characterized in that it correspondsto the additional functional module of said electrical apparatus andcomprises at least a fourth connection pole and a fifth connection poleable to be electrically connected respectively to the first connectionpole and to the second connection pole of the primary functional moduleof the electrical apparatus, in order to supply power to the additionalfunctional module and comprises means for performing at least onefunction requiring an electric power supply, said at least one functionof the additional functional module is a function requiring an electricpower supply, excluding an indicator light lighting function linked tothe open position and/or the closed position of the control member ofthe primary functional module.
 19. The module as claimed in claim 18,wherein said at least one function of the additional functional moduleis chosen, alone or in combination, from among a function of measuringat least one physical parameter and/or an electromagnetic radiationtransmission and/or reception function and/or a display function and/oran actuation function, a data processing function and/or a function oftransforming a physical signal into an electrical signal or vice versa.20. The module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the function of theadditional functional module is able to be supplied with power andactivated when the control member of the primary functional module is inthe open position.
 21. The module as claimed in claim 18, wherein saidmodule comprises an electrical energy storage and/or production elementand in that the function of the additional functional module is able tobe supplied with power by said electrical energy storage and/orproduction element.
 22. The module as claimed in claim 19, wherein saidmodule comprises at least one measurement sensor able to perform saidfunction of measuring at least one physical parameter.
 23. The module asclaimed in claim 19, wherein said module comprises at leastelectromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means able to performsaid electromagnetic radiation transmission and/or reception function.24. The module as claimed in claim 19, wherein said module comprises atleast display means able to perform said display function.
 25. Themodule as claimed in claim 19, it wherein said module comprises at leastactuation means able to perform said actuation function.
 26. The moduleas claimed in claim 19, wherein said module comprises at least dataprocessing means able to perform said data processing function.
 27. Themodule as claimed in claim 22, wherein said module comprises at leastone electronic card comprising the measurement sensor and/or theelectromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means and/or thedisplay means and/or the actuation means and/or the data processingmeans and/or a transducer.
 28. The module as claimed in claim 27,wherein a first electronic card comprises the measurement sensor and/orthe display means and/or the actuation means and/or the electromagneticwave transmission and/or reception means and/or a transducer and asecond electronic card comprises the electromagnetic wave transmissionand/or reception means and/or the data processing means and a thirdelectronic card comprises the electrical energy storage and/orproduction element.
 29. The module as claimed in claim 28, wherein thefirst electronic card is a removable component of said additionalfunctional module.
 30. The module as claimed in claim 29, wherein thefirst electronic card comprises at least first connection meanscomplementary with at least second connection means of the secondelectronic card.
 31. The module as claimed in claim 27, wherein saidmodule comprises a second housing in which said at least one electroniccard comprising the measurement sensor and/or the electromagnetic wavetransmission and/or reception means and/or the display means and/or theactuation means and/or the data processing means is housed.
 32. Themodule as claimed in claim 18, wherein said module comprises at least afourth connection terminal connected to the fourth connection pole and afifth connection terminal connected to the fifth connection pole and inthat the fourth connection terminal and the fifth connection terminalform a second outlet.
 33. The module as claimed in claim 31, wherein thesecond outlet of the additional functional module projects from thesecond housing of the additional functional module.
 34. The module asclaimed in claim 31, wherein the second housing comprises removablefastening means able to interact with a support frame of the electricalapparatus.
 35. An electronic card for an additional functional module asclaimed in claim 18, wherein the electronic card comprises a measurementsensor and/or display means and/or actuation means and/orelectromagnetic wave transmission and/or reception means and/or atransducer and in that it comprises at least first connection means soas to be able to form a removable component of said additionalfunctional module.